Rail-joint connection.



No. 738,805. PATENTBD SEPT. 15, 1903.

J. HOULEHAN. RAIL JOINT CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

UNITE re'rns I Patented. September 15, 1903.

ATENT much.

JOHN HOULEI-IAN, OF EL PASO, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, OF TWO-THIRDS TO WILLIAM E. PORTER AND GEORGE FENCE, OF ELPASO, TEXAS.

RAIL-JOINT CONNECTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,805, datedSeptember 15, 1903.

Application filed February 5, 1903., Serial No. M2000. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN I-IOULEHAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at El Paso,

in the county of El Paso and State of Texas,

have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rail-Joint Connections, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

My invention relates to a rail-joint connection for railway-rails, theobject being to combine in one integral structure by forging or stampingfrom a single piece of metal a railchair and fish-plate which shall bestronger and more secure than the ordinary fastening now in use.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myinvention as it appears when in use; Fig. 2, an end view of the same,and Fig. 3 a similar View of a modified form of connection.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the respectivefigures.

1 2 represent the meeting ends of two rails, and 3 my improvedconnection as a whole, which consists principally of a plate or strip ofmetal 4 bent upon itself, the under portion being placed beneath theabutting ends of the rails 1 2 and extending some distance beyond on theopposite side. The upper portion of the strip 4 is formed integrallywith an abutment or chair 5 and projections 6 extending laterally fromthe abutment, the said projections havingholes for the passagetherethrough of bolts 7. Holes are also formed in the strip 4, throughwhich spikes are driven to fasten the rail connection 3 to a tie 8. Theabutment 5 spans the adjoining ends of the rails 1 2 and extendsvertically about midway of the height of the rail-heads, from whichpoint it curves gradually downwardly and away from the rails to thestrip l. The projections 6 fit snugly against the webs of the railsbelow the heads, as in the use of the ordinary fish-plate.

In practice the connection 3 is placed on the tie 8, the ends of therails 1 and 2 resting on the strip 4 and the abutment 5 and projections6 lying closely against the rails, as

is used more especially on a curve, the abutment being placed on theoutside of the outer rail on a curve to prevent the rails from spreadingand to assist the outer rail to overcome the tendency to overturn due tothe pressure exerted upon it by a train when making the curve.

The modified construction shown in Fig. 3 is more especially designedfor use on bridges. It is apractical duplication of the form seen inFigs. 1 and 2, the connection 3 consisting of the strip at, having anabutment 5 and projections 6 formed on each end, which ends are doubledover on the strip 4 to form a chair within which the rails rest. Spikes11 pass through the doubled portion of the strip 4 on each side of therail to secure the connection to the tie.

I do not restrict myself to the exact details of construction,combination, and arrangement herein set forth, it being obvious thatminor variations thereof not involving the exercise of invention may bemade by the skilled mechanic, and such departures from what is hereindescribed and claimed not involving invention I consider as within thescope and terms of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a rail connection,the combination of a plate or strip doubled upon itself, an abutment onthe upper portion of said doubled strip, and lateral projections on theabutment, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rail connection, the combination of a plate or strip doubledupon itself, an abut- 9o ment on the upper portion ofsaid doubled strip,and lateral projections on the abutments, the whole being integral,substantially as set forth.

3. In a rail connection, the combination of a plate or strip doubledupon itself, an abutment on the upper portion of said doubled strip, andlateral projections on the abutment,

A fish-plate 9 of some usual 50 ing holes for spikes formed through thedoubled portion, an abutment integral with said strip and shaped to fitthe side of a rail,

the said abutment and its projections being shaped to fit the side of arail, substantially as set forth. 4. In a rail connection, thecombination of I a plate or strip doubled upon itself, an abutment'onthe upper portion of said doubled strip, and lateral projections on theabutment, the said abutment and its projections being shaped to fit theside of a rail, the whole bel holes therethrough for securing theconnections to the rails, substantially as set forth. In testimonywhereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

JOHN I-IOULEHAN. IL. s] In presence of R. W. SPENcE, T. B. COLLIER.

ing integral, substantially as set forth.

5. In a rail connection, the combination of a plate or strip doubledupon itself and hav- 1 and projections on the abutment having bolt-.

